The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-01-20

We nave large areas OF virgin lorest,
comprising valuable and useful woods,
exhaustless deposits of iron ores--the
magnitites and hematites--vast coal
fields, immense beds Of limestone,
quarries Of marble OF the best and
most beautiful kinds, mines of manga
nese, lead, zinc, copper, and possibly
the precious metals. We can produce
abundant crops of cotton, hemp, flax,
wool, tobacco, all the cereals and all
the fruits, vegetables and grasses
known to the temperate zone.
Our natural facilities and advanta-
ges for manufacturing are believed to
be second to none in any other sec
ton of the Union 1t seems to me |
that with all these natural resources
and advantages at hand, and with a |
fresh and vigorous spirit Of industrial
energy and enterprise aroused i'll our
people, REINFORCED by immigration |
and capital from other sections of the
country, our possibilities as a State are
well nigh incalculable. 1t seems TO
me we ought to deem it our highest
duty, as officials and as citizens, to en-
act such laws and adopt and practice
such policies as win best promote, en-
courage and stimulate the building up
Of our domestic industries, and the
thorough development of our natural
wealth. BY such development and
consequent increase Of available
wealth and taxable property we could
increase our revenues we could light
en- the burdens of taxation; we could
meet our interest without strain we
could easily pay our debt when due,
and we could establish and maintain
a splendid system of free schools for
the education of all the children Of
the State.
The times seem ripe for the develop
ment of Tennessee. The progressive
spirit of the age demands it, the on
ward march OF the New South re-
quires it, necessity will force it. 1t
may be consummated in the near flu
ture Great thoroughfares will be
carved through the unused treasure
fields of the State labor and capital
will unlock the dark and silent cham
bers Of the slumbering coal and iron,
they will call them forth into the glo-
rious light OF day to meet and entrance
in the nuptial fires of a thousand fur
naces Newborn towns and cities,
teeming with populs ton and wealth,
with multiplied machine shops and
factories will be the offspring of
their union. All the arts, indus
tries and trades will flourish, agricul-
ture will receive fresh momentum, the
energies of the people will be aroused
into full activity, and a new era OF
growth and prosperity will be estab-
: lished throughout the length and
/ breadth of the State. Indeed, ii we
J compare the present with the not dis
; tant past, we must perceive that the
l grand process OF development in the
South is already we'll advanced. Our
recuperation and recovery from the
, blight and desoation of the civil war
! have been marvellous. Twenty years
ago the South was in ruins Her
; fields were wasted, and many of her
chief cities were in ashes. Her com
7 merce was wrecked, her industries par
alyzed, her hopes dead, and her com
s merce was wrecked, her industries par
alyzed, her hopes dead, and her peo
e pie crushed. But as the night with its
darkness only renews the wasted ener-
t gies OF the world for the turmoils and
2 activities OF the morrow, so the very
: shadows of despair that brooded over
a the fallen South called into being q
+ new life. That new life, instinct with
terminating energy, put forth its
t hand, like the Christ, and touched oul
e PROSTATE country, and 10! the New
n South sprang to her feet. Her cite:
i rose from their ashes, her industries
e awoke, her fields blossomed and fruit
e ed again like a paradise restored, and
e the bow Of hope and promise stood out
t once more on her clearing skies.
e The animosites OF the war are dead
: The causes that precipitated that wal
n are dead. Slavery is forever dead /
n the South sinned, she has sought t.
h make Amends if she was wronged
y she has freely forgiven. Tennessee
s to-day, offers the hand of friendship t.
all her sister States of the Union ant
e and opens wide her gates OF welcom,
4 to ALL
J. 1t should be the chief study of th'
/ people to improve and strengthen thu
e State Government, and by wise legis
y lation and wise policies to adapt it t.
!. the changing necessities Of the ag,
n and the diversified interests OF our in
e creasing population. It's enforce
ment of law and order should be rig
+ id ; its punishment Of crime should b
It just in degree and prompt in execu
). ton ito snnnrnssinn Of riot and dis